Callout to be held Monday for DOE-sponsored clean energy student challenge

October 12, 2011

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University students with an interest in clean energy solutions and entrepreneurship can learn about applying for a business creation competition sponsored by the Department of Energy during an informational callout event Monday (Oct. 17).

The Chicago-based Clean Energy Trust (CET) has expanded its annual Clean Energy Challenge to include student business concepts from around the Midwest. The Clean Energy Student Challenge is one of six regional competitions in the United States. The winning team will receive a $100,000 prize made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and the chance to compete for a national grand prize at a competition held at the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., in early summer 2012.

The 2012 Clean Energy Student Challenge Callout will be at 6 p.m. in Rawls Hall, Room 3082. Purdue University researchers and area business leaders will speak about their experiences in clean-energy research and business development during a moderated discussion. A networking session will follow immediately, during which attendees can build their teams for the Clean Energy Student Challenge.

Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization can offer novel energy-related technologies to serve as the basis for the Clean Energy Student Challenge applications. Each application must include a brief executive summary, a link to a three-minute investor pitch and a brief résumé of each team member.

Applications for the Clean Energy Student Challenge can be submitted to http://cleanenergychallenge2012.istart.org between Nov. 1 and Dec. 5. The Clean Energy Trust and its anchor partners - Purdue University, Cleantech Open, Nortech, the University of Michigan and Washington University in St. Louis - will select 18 semi-finalists who will be matched with sector experts and experienced entrepreneurs.

The Clean Energy Student Challenge Final will be March 1 in Chicago. Panels of expert judges will select the winner that will compete in the national finals.

About Clean Energy Trust

The Clean Energy Trust was founded by business and civic leaders to accelerate the pace of clean energy innovation in the Midwest. The trust is supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Joyce Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Small Business Administration and donations from over 50 investors, corporations, universities and trade groups.

About Purdue Research Foundation

Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. The foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds research, scholarships and grants; acquires property; and negotiates research contracts on behalf of Purdue. In the 1990s, the foundation was charged with helping the university in the realm of economic development. The Purdue Research Foundation oversees the Purdue Research Park, which is the largest university-affiliated business incubator in the country. In addition to the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, the foundation has established technology parks in other locations around Indiana including Indianapolis, Merrillville and New Albany.